Lady Cosmos Field Hockey Nips Brattleboro

SPRINGFIELD, VT. - The Springfield High School field hockey team recently hosted Brattleboro, scoring an early goal and making it stand in a tight, 1-0 win over the Colonels at Michelle Porter Field in Springfield. Despite a rough start to the season, Cosmos coach Bindi Hathorn remains upbeat and confident that her team can make a second half run at the state tournament. "When this team is 'on', we can play with anyone," coach Hathron said after the game. "But we're a young team and aren't consistent yet enough from game to game."

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Photos By Joe Milliken

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In this one, however, against a struggling Brattleboro team, the Lady Cosmos played aggressively from the opening whistle and for the most part, dominated this contest on another wet and drizzly day. Springfield had opportunities the entire game and if it were not for the sharp goal tending from Brattleboro's Caroline McCarthy, it could have been a lop-sided score. But it wasn't.

Several Lady Cosmos were all over the field making plays early on, including senior Morgan Johnson, sophomore Makayla Smith and freshman Maygan Daily. Springfield got several in-close chances to get on the scoreboard, but Colonel keeper McCarthy made a couple saves, while her defense also helped the cause by cleaning out a couple loose rebounds in front.

But Springfield finally broke through at the 12:46 mark, when Daly slammed in a rebound to finally get the Cosmos on the board, but it certainly was not easy. In fact, Springfield continued to pour it on for the rest of the half and although they kept the ball in the Brattleboro end of the field, had just a one-goal lead at the half.

For the first 10 minutes of the second half, Springfield continued to carry the play, but after a nice kick-out save by McCarthy, the Lady Colonels pushed the play to the other end and finally got some offensive pressure going of their own, forcing Springfield sophomore keeper Erin Chlebak to make a nice save of her own to keep the score at 1-0.

The sudden Brattleboro burst forced Cosmos coach Hathorn to call a time out and calm things down. The break of momentum seemed to work, as Springfield got back on track with Johnson, Daly and Jill Rushton all creating pressure in front of the net and forcing three consecutive corner opportunities.

However, despite the aggressive play, the Cosmos still only had a one goal lead with under 10 minutes to play. Makayla Smith had a good chance in front but the shot deflected wide, before Johnson laid one right in front for Daly, but her bid at a second goal was kicked away by McCarthy.

In the final three minutes, Brattleboro tried to make it interesting with a couple of late shots from in close, but couldn't get the game-tying goal before the final buzzer as Chlebak made a tough save late to preserve the shut out.

"Gosh, we could have scored so many goals today," coach Hathorn said after the game. 'We really played well today and controlled the game, but I give their keeper credit for keeping them close. But we've also got to find a way to finish plays."

The Cosmos finished with 10 shots and eight corners, while Brattleboro finished with three shots and eight corners. Chelbak notched seven saves in net to get the shut out, while McCarthy made eight saves for Brattleboro. The win (at press time) moved the Cosmos to 3-5 on the season.